Coupling for railway train-pipes



LA. RUSSELL AND E. A. .SCHRElBERy COUPLING FOR RAILWAY TRAIN PIPES.'

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcif..N

EDWARD A. RUSSELL AND EDWARD A. SCHREIBER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, l

ASSIG-NORS TO VAPOR CAR HEATING COMPANY,

TNC., OF CHICAGO, ILLIf -NOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COUPLING- FOR RAILWAY TRAIN-PIPES.

l/ ro all w hom t may concern Be it known that we, EDWARD A. RUSSELL and EDWARD A. Sorrnnmnn, citizens of the yUnited States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improve* ments in Couplings for Railway Trainlipes, of which the following is a specification.

Cui' invention relates to aflexible coupling for the train pipes, either steam or air, carried by the cars of a railway train. The primary object of the invention is to provide an all-metal train pipe coupling, to take the place of theusual rubber hose, which will be durable, sufficiently flexible to accommodate itself to the relative movements between the ends of the cars, on rough track, for example, or in going around curves, and to permit the ready manipulation of the coupler heads in coupling and uncoupling; and which, furthermore, will be relatively .inexpensiveto manufacture, will be Aand remain steam or air tight, and will be capable of withstandingthe high pressures and temjieratures, in the case of steam line cou- 4plings, to which train pipe couplings are subjected.

Thereare serious objections to the use of rubber hose in train pipe couplings. They are costly, last but a short time, and are very unreliable. The rubber begins to disintegrate in a short time. It is particularly easily affected by the high temperature of the steam in couplings used on steam lines. rEhe constant vibration, and also the high piessuresvtoA which the hose is subjected, also tends to weaken and destroy them rapidlv. to substitute jointed metallic structures for rubber bose in couplings used in steam and air train lines, so far as we are aware, the metal couplings have not proven satisfactory under all conditions of service. Metal couplings for railway train pipes must be capable of universal movement within cer-` tain limits. `ln metal couplings of the type employing a flexible. metallic, tubular diaphragm as a'v conduit `member through the universal joint` the diaphragm has been made in one section or length. Consequently ithas been subjected to bending action in fall directions and'it has been found very difficult to provide a diaphragm Whh Will be Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed .Tuney 3, 1.919.

. situations While some efforts have been made Patented June 21, 1921.

serial No. 301,439.

durable under these conditions. If a corrugated metal tube be flexed in one direction, say by the4 shortening or lengthening of the distance between the cars, and is then subjected to fiexure in another direction, for example, by a lateral shifting or anl angular movement of one car with respect to the other, the compound bending strain to which the member is subjected is likely to be more than it can stand. Having these conditions in mind, our invention contemplates making the corrugated tubular member in Va plurality of sections so related to the articulations of the universal oint that each section is flexed only in a single plane through the axisof such section.

The invention, while having particular utility when embodied in a railway train pipe coupling, could beemployed in other where similar conditions" are present.

. The invention has for further objects the other new and improved constructions, ar-

` rangements and devices relating to i e coub C l an( plings to be hereinafter described claimed. f

The invention is illustrated, in the acconipanying drawings, whereinf Figure l is a fragmentary side elevatio of the ends of two railway cars showing the application of our invention in the construction of a train pipe coupling.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, and F ig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the metallic joint.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to Fig. l, it will be seen that the two railway cars 5, 5 are provided with train" pipes, 6, G.v The latter are connected together by means of a flexible coupling consisting of two mating` couplers 7, 7 of any preferred construction, lengths of'pipe 8, S`

and 9, 9, and metallic, iiexible, or, more properly speaking, gimbal joints designated l0 in their entirety in this figure. The gimbal joints 10, 10 are alike and are preferably constructed so that the pivots of the upper and lower members respectively stand at right angles to, each other, asy shown particularly in Figs. 2 and 3.

Each joint consists of a pair ofyokes 1l, 12, arranged atsubstantally ,right anglesy porting element designated or beveled seat 18a.

ments 7 8. The glands 22 may lphragm '19 Vmay be inserted v tially ninety degrees apart.

ends of the'tubular diaphragm sectionsv 19a or air tight joint.

' ing members, 13, 111 which fit and are movable one within the other. The yokes are pivoted by studs 15 to an annular or supin itsentirety 16. Each of the yolres is formed with an opening, the upper portion of which is threaded,

as shown at 17, and the lowerportion Vot'V which is Jformed with an inwardly inclined shoulder adapted to receive the Yring 18 which is provided with an inwardlyV inclined The steam passageway through `the joint is vprovided by a flexible, corrugated, metallic, tubular Adiaphragm designated in its entirety 19,V which-is formed at opposite ends with flaring ilanges 20. These flanges are bent so that they will enter the openingsin the yokes and are then liattened or pressed out against the seats 18. They are clamped to the seats by means ot' tapered rings 21 which are formed integrally with the threaded glands 22. The joints 10, 10 are connected to their respective kjend valves by unions 23 which are screwed 25 in 22. The upper ends ot tothe end valve and into the upper glands the tubular 'elements 8, 8 are screwed into kthe lower glands 22. rThe lower set ofjoints 10, 10 are similarly connectedrespectively, with the tubular elebe loclredin place by means ot' the set screws 24E, 2e. vThe supporting member 16 is provided with a central circular opening through which the flexible, corrugated, metallic tubular diaand is adapted to engage and be clamped aroundthe middle of the diaphragm, thus holding the middle of the diaphragm against v relative movelllGl'lli; 'i l Y Preferably the diaphragm 19 is 4made in two` sections 19a and 19". VThe supporting member 16 is also preferably made of the two elements 16% and 1Gb, eachpart being made alike and boltedl together, one part being inverted and given a quarter turn to bring the bearings for the pivot-s 15 substan- The adjacent and 19" are provided with flanges V25, 25 which kproject outwardly at right angles to the longitudinal aires oiz the diaphragms and are adapted to'be clamped between the elements 16a, 16h ot the supporting memberl. lf desired apacling ring` 26 may be inserted between thetlanges 25, 25 to insure a steam AThe train pipe coupling above described is strong, dura-ble, steam tight, suliiciently Aflexible to accommodate itself to the relative movements of the carsy oit Vthe train and to permit the coupler heads. toy be readily coupled and uncoupled in the ordinarymanner, and 4is capable oi' withstanding theY maximum steam pressure to which steam Aline couplings may be subjected without losprovide meansto which the yokes may be.

.votally connected at right angles to each other and to provideV means whereby the middle of theflexible diaphragm 19 may be held against movement with respect to the other parts of the diaphragm. ln the 4preierred iormV the outstanding flanges 25, 2 5 of the diaphragms 19'L and 19b are gripped between the two elements of the supporting member 16 andl securely held in position. Withthis arrangement the section 19ar of the diaphragm 19 tienes when the joint bends on the pivots ot yoke 11 in which case the diaphragm section .19b does not flex. Similarly section 19 will be iexed when the bend of the joint is on the pivots of yoke 12 but-in such case section 19EL will not flex. Thus it will be seen that the diaphragm sections 19a and'19? are each subjected to onlycone bending Vaction which results Vin the lite ot Vthe diaphragm sections being greatly increased. The supporting member 16 is rigid and because it is pivoted at tour points between the yolres 11 and 12 it is impossible to subject the diaphragm sections 19"L and 19b toa twisting Y action. The curved casing members 13 and ll completely surround and protect'the diaphragm 19 from injury. 4 They also inclose A the yokes 11, 12 and their ypivots'so that all the working parts 'ot the joint are housed and protected. againstfinjury.

there-is no danger of boiler scale, cinoers "or other Vforeign (matter being intercepted andfcaught in their corrugations. This is auirnportant consideration'as it is Aimpossible to keeps steam'train line entirely free 'from particles ot solid matter of this sort andi-.t such foreign matter should lodge. in the V'corrugations ot the diaphragm the treedom oit movement of the latter would be seriously impaired.

y The Vordinary rubber hose become very stiff .when subjected to high pressures. The pressure 'in a steam-train pipe mayV go as high asone hundred pounds per square inch or even higher; l/Vhen the hose are made stiff by high pressure the dangerotcoupler heads being accidentallv uncoupled, in rounding a reverse curve, lor example, is very much enhanced. The flexibility lof the coupling or" our invention is-veryrlittle ailectedby inorease'in steampressure. j Thediafphragmsl'lex/ practically, asY 'freely with a high pressure luidwithin them asif they were empty. Moreover, the flexible .Strucfan ture connecting each coupler head with its end valve and consisting, in each case, of a straight, rigid pipe section united to the end valve with a universal joint and to the coupler head by a universal joint .and another rigid pipe section, are or' such character that they are not readily moved to a position to cause the coupler heads to uncouple even when the distance between the end valves is considerably increased. rlhese structures are not flexible throughout as is the case with a rubber hose, which, when subjected to a flexing stress, is likely to bend at whatever happens to be the weakest point. The coupling of our invention bends only at certa-in definite points, being otherwise rigid. At the places where the coupling can flex it flexes much more readily than the rubber hose.

While we have described our invention as embodied in certain preferred constructions, it will be understood that modifications might be made Without departure from the principles of the invention. Therefore we do not .intend that the invention be limited to the particular constructions, arrangements and devices shown and described except so far as limited by the claims appended hereto.

We claim: Y

l. In a railway train pipe, the combination with the train pipe section carried 'by a car of the train, of a coupling :for the same including a coupler head adapted to engage the coupling member adjacent car of the train, and a jointed structure connecting the 'coupler head with the train pipe section comprising a metal tubular element, a gimbal joint uniting said train pipe and tubular element, and a second gimbal joint. between the other end of the tubular element and the coupler head; each joint comprising a tubular, metallic, flexible diaphragm providing a steam port therethrough, and engaging means for the middleof the diaphragm adapted to hold the two portions on oppositesides thereof' from flexing except in directions at right angles to each other.

2. In a railway train pipe, the combina tion with the train pipe section carried by a car of the train, of a coupling for the same including a coupler head adapted to engage the coupling member carried by the adjacent car of the train, and a jointed' structure connecting the coupler head with the train pipe section comprising a metal, tubular element, a gimbal joint uniting said train pipe and tubular element, and a second gimbal joint between the other end of theytubular element andthe coupler head; each joint being made up of casing members, one fitting and movable Within the other, flexible, metallic, tubular means providing a passageway for til-ii@ lieder pressure carried by the through said joint, and engaging means Jfor the middle of the tubular Ineansad'apted to hold the two portions thereof on opposite sides of said engaging means from flexing except in directions at right angles to each other.

8. In a railway train pipe, the combination with the train pipe section carried by a car of the train, of a coupling for the same including a coupler head adapted to engage the coupling member carried by the adjacent car or the train, and a jointed structure connecting the coupler head with the train pipe section Vcomprising a metal, tubular element, a gimbal joint uniting said train pipe and tubular element, and a second gimbal joint between the other end of the tubular element and the coupler head; each joint being inade up of casing members, one fitting and movable within the other, a tubular, metallic, flexible diaphragm providing a steam duct through said joint, and engaging means for` the middle of the diaphragm adapted to hold portions thereof on opposite sides of the engaging means from flexing except in directions at right angles to each other.

t. In a railway train pipe, the combination with the train pipe section carried by a car of the train, of a coupling for the saine including a coupler head adapted to engage the coupling member carried by the adjacent car of the train, and a jointed structure connecting the coupler'1 head with the train pipe section comprising a metal, tubular element, a gimbal joint unitino` said train pipe and tubular element, and a second gimbal joint between the other end of the tubular element and the coupler head; each joint made up of a pair of yokes'arranged at right angles to each other, a supporting member to which said yokes are pivoted, and flexible, tubular means providing a iuid passageway through said joint, which is secured at the middle to said supporting member.V 5. In a railway train pipe, the combination with the train pipe section carried by a car of the train, of a coupling for the same including a coupler head adapted to engage the coupling member carried by the adja cent vcar of the train, and a jointed strncture connecting thcjcoupler head with the train pipe section comprising a metal, tnbular element, a gimbal joint uniting said train pipe and tubular element, and a second gimbal joint between the other end of the tubular element and the coupler head; each joint being made up of a pair of yoles arranged at right angles to each other, an annular member to which said yoltos are piv oted, and flexible, tubular means providing a fluid passageway through said joint, extending through and secured the middle to said annular member. f i.

(i, Iii railway train pige, the combinacent car of the train, and

between said flanges, and means' for ing` said flangesand packing ring against.

a car ofthe train7 of a coupling for the saine including a coupler head adapted to engage the coupling member carried by the Vadjacent car of the train, and a jointed struc-` ture connecting the coupler head with the train pipe section comprising a metal, tubular element, a gimbal joint uniting said train pipe andv tubular element, and a second gimbal joint betweenthe other end of the tubular element and the coupler head; each joint being made up of a pair of yolres arranged at right angles to each other, an annular member to which said'yokes are pivote'd,flexible, tubular elements' placed end to end and providing a fluid passageway through said joint, and means for clamping thev inner ends of said tubular elements to said annular member.

j 7. ln a railway train pipe, the combination with thetrain pipe section carried by a cai' of the train. of a coupling for the same includingI a couplerhead adapted to engage the coupling memberI carried by the adj a jointed structure connecting the coupler head with the train pipe section train pipe and tubular'element, and a` second gimbal joint between the otherv end of the tubular element and thecoupler head; each joint being made up of a pair of yolres arranged at right angles to each other, an annular' member to which said lyoles are ivoted, flexible,l Vtubular elements placed end to end and providing a fluid passageway through lsaid joint, flanges on the adjacent ends Vof said tubular elements, a packing ring clampsaid annularrmember. i S. lin a railway train pipe` the-combination with the train pipe section carried by a car of the train, of a coupling for the same including a coupler head adapted to engage the coupling member carried by the adjacent 4car of the train, and a jointed structure connecting the coupler head with the train pipe section comprising a metal, tubular element, av gimbal joint uniting said train pipe and tubular element, and a second gimbal joint between thecther end of the tubular element and the coupler hoad;reach joint being made up of a pair of yokes arranged at right angles to each otherV formed withl casing members, one fitting and movable within the othein a pair of annular members to one of which said yolfres are piv-V ote'd', flexible, tubular elements placed end to end and4 providing a fluid passageway throughv said joints,flanges on the adjacent endfs of said tubular elements, and means to clamp said annular members andflanges.

9. In a railway train pipe, the combinatubular element and the coupler comprising a fmetal,` j tubular element, a gimbal joint uniting said tion with the train pipesection carried-by a car of the train, of a coupling 'for the same including a couplerhead adapted to engage the coupling memberl carried by the adj acentk car oftheitrain, and a jointed struc ture connecting the coupler` head with the train pipeV section comprising a metal, tubular element, a gimbaljoint uniting said train pipe and tubularelement, and a second other end ofthe head; each joint being made` up of' a pair of yolres arranged at right angles to each other formed with inclosing casingJmenibersone fitting gimbal joint between the.

Vand movable within the other, a pair of annu'- lar members to one of which said yolres are pivoted, flexible, tubular elements placed end to end' and providing afluid passageway through said joints, flanges on the adjacent ends of said tubular elements projecting out wardly atright angles to the longitudinal axis of said tubular elements and adapted to fit between said annular members, a packing ring between saidy flanges, vand means to clamp said annular members, packing ring and Vflanges together.v Y l lO. ln a 1 flexible joint, .the combination with yokes arranged at right angles to each other, a member.V to-which said yokes are pivoted,raiid a flexible, tubular element connected at its extremities with the yokes so as to form a fluid tight passageway through the joint, and Vat its middle portion with the member to which the yokes are pivoted.

:11. In a flexible joint, the combination with yokes arrangedat right'angles to, each other, a member to whiChsaidyOkes are pivoted, a flexible, tubular member connected at itsV extremities with the yolres so as to form a fluid tight passageway through the joint and -at the vmiddle to'the member to which the yokes are pivoted, and protecting 'j means surrounding -said tubular member,

yolres and said other member.

l2. ln a 4flexible joint, the combination with yolres arrangedat right angles to each V. ing and movable within the other.

13. In a fleXiblejOint, the f combination with yokes arranged atv right angles to each other, a member to which said` yolres are pivoted, flexible, tubular elements placed end to end and' connected with said yolres so as to form a fluid lpassageway through the joint, flanges on the adjacent ends of said tubular elements, and means for .clamping said flanges against themember to which the yokes are pivoted.

passageway 14. In a flexible joint, the combination with yokes arranged at right angles to each other, a member to which said yokes are p`ivoted, flexible, tubular elements placed end to end and connected with said yokes so as to form a fluid passageway through the joint, flanges on the adjacent ends of said tubular elements, a packing ring between said flanges, and means adapted to clamp said flanges and ring against the member to which the yokes are pivoted.

15. ln a flexible joint, the combination with yokes arranged at right angles to each other, a supporting member comprising two similar elements to which said yokes are pivoted, flexible, tubular elements placed end to end and providing a fluid passageway through said joint, flanges on the adjacent ends of said tubular elements, and means to clamp said supporting elements together and over said flanges.

15. In a flexible joint, the combination with yokes arranged at right angles to each other, a supporting member comprising two similar elements to which said yokes are pivoted, flexible, tubular elements placed end to end and providing a fluid passageway through said joint, flanges on the adj acent ends of said tubular elements projecting outwardly at right angles to the longitudinal axes of said tubular elements, and adapted to lit between said supporting elements, a packing' ring between said flanges, and means to clamp said supporting elements together. l

17. A flexible joint comprising a pair of members, a flexible tubular element secured at opposite ends to said members, respectively, and means for pivotally connecting the members to substantially the middle of the. tubular element on axes substantially at right angles to each other.

18. A flexible joint comprising a pair of members, an annular member to which the aforesaid members are pivoted on axes substantially at right angles to each other, and a flexible tubular element connected at its ends to the first named members and extending through and secured at substantially its middle to the annular member.

19. A flexible joint comprising a pair of members, a flexible, tubular element secured at opposite ends to said members, respectively, means 'for pivotally connecting the members to substantially the middle of the tubular element on axes substantially at right angles to each other, and substantially hemispherical housing members, the edge of one extending within the edge oi the other, which surround said rst named members and tubular element.

20. A flexible joint comprising yoke members, an annular member to which the yoke members are pivoted, a flexible, tubular element connected with the yoke members, and housing members, substantially hemispherical, surrounding the yoke members, annular member and tubular element.

21. il flexible joint comprising an annular member, a flexible, tubular element, yoke members piyoted to the annular member, and formed with threaded neck portions, rings seated in said neck portions, and glands having threaded engagement with the neck portions adapted to clamp the edges of the flexible, tubular element against said rings.

EDVARD A. RUSSELL. EDWARD A. SCHREIBER. 

